Help! Music Man JP6 Bridge will not return to pitch

[big_aug]

Ok, so I just got my JP6. Its a 2001 model.

The bridge will not return to pitch. If I tune it up, then hit the whammy bar in either direction, it will not return to normal pitch. If I pull up on it, then it will return sharp. If I push down, it will return flat. Once I've hit the bar one way, I can use it that way and it will return to that point. For example, when I've got it tuned up right and press down on the bar, the strings stay about a half step out of tune. They will stay at that point if I continue to press down on the bar.

I'm thinking maybe it's the springs? Could the bridge be bad?

Any help appreciated.

 

[Dante]

string properly and stretch the strings...

 

[big_aug]

The strings are stretched. I put the strings on properly. The bridge just will not return unless you pull it back into tune manually.

 

[the24thfret]

Check everything twice and when you're sure it's not working, call or email customer service. They will help you out.

 

[TNT]

Be patient, practice makes perfect (that includes set up too!)

You'll get it!

 

[roburado]

Your nut might need some lube in the form of some graphite.

 

[straycat113]

Just have a good tech check it out.

 

[PaoloGilberto]

mine doesn't also return to the "zero point" unless I move a bit the bar till finding it.
CS can't help unfortunately because I live in Romania , and only 2 options they gave (perfectly reasonable, and I understand):1. send the guitar to US 2. take it to the local dealer (which has a bad reputation )
I'll be very interested how you figure that

 

[big_aug]

Ok, im thinking the trem studs/posts need replaced. I messed with them a bit more after adjusting. I screwed them all the way in and then back out to where it was set + a little further.

The trem is working pretty well now. Not going all the way back exactly to the zero point evrry time, but at least close. Im going to put some lube in the nut to see if that helps further. So, graphite? I can use a pencil?

 

[beej]

Yes. Bit of vaseline with some ground up pencil graphite works well.

Btw, this has been covered to death ... but there's nothing special about setting these guys up. You have the same issues you have with any floating trem.

Btw, the customer service folks usually are usually the best bet to help sort things out. And, of course, your local dealer.

 

[TNT]

beej hit it! There's nothing wrong with guitar - it needs to be set up correctly!!!

They are much more sensitive and delicate, but when adjusted as they are supposed to they will stay in tune like ANY other guitar.

Just have some patience and practice - you'll "nail it"!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

So the guitar is out of warranty?

CS in USA suggest you ship it them - but that's too expensive?

You don't trust your local dealer?

Ok so lets see what help we can give.

1 Do not have any coils of guitar string around the tuning peg - pull the string through the hole, clamp it at the back of the tuner and that will be enough.
2 The trem body should be flush to the body of the guitar.
3 Make sure that the trem posts that screw into the front of the body and the trem itself have no sharp edges - then put some chapstick (lip salve) on them.
4) Put some graphite from a pencil in the string slots.
5) How many springs do you have have? at least 3?- try 4.

Take a look at my tip here
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/mus...heap-reversible-mod-my-john-petrucci-6-a.html

Good luck and be sure to tell us the outcome?

 

[PaoloGilberto]

so Spud you say having 2 Grolsch helps tunning stability? cause I just had 2 in the weekend haha
I could try that...the only thing I haven't : 4 strings and I haven't take off the strings to properly check if there are no sharp edges on the knife from the tremolo system...

 

[Spudmurphy]

Lol!
I used to have a whole load of Grolsch bottle stoppers but have given most of them away - I'll just have to drink some more hic!

 

[big_aug]

Turns out I'm just a setup newb like others suggested. After adjusting everything and really trying to get it just right, its no longer an issue.

 

[Roubster]

Glad you got it sorted man. I think this thread should be made a sticky just to prove to ALL those posts about trems not staying in tune that you just gotta set it up properly. It really has to do with proper tuning like I stated before, and especially how the high E, B and G strings are tuned together. This weekend I was playing my 20th Silo where I have the bridge set up to float. For fun I was beating the crap out of it and it staid in tune really well.

 

[Dante]

glad to hear it's all good.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Glad it's all sorted.
Out of interest,what adjustments did you make?

 

[TheShreddinHand]

Glad it's all sorted.
Out of interest,what adjustments did you make?

Yeah, I'm curious too since the guitar is in the FS thread now.

-Eric

EDIT: Nevermind, it's not in the thread anymore.